Publication Ethics

Research and Publication Ethics

Ethical Responsibilities

The publication processes implemented by Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies serve as the foundation for the unbiased and reputable development and dissemination of knowledge. In this regard, the processes directly reflect the quality of the work of authors and the institutions that support them. Peer-reviewed studies are those that embody and support the scientific method. It is important for all stakeholders (authors, readers and researchers, publishers, reviewers, and editors) to adhere to ethical standards. Within the scope of publication ethics, it is expected that all stakeholders bear the following ethical responsibilities.

Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Authors submitting works to Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies are expected to comply with the following ethical responsibilities:

  • Authors are expected to ensure that the works they submit are original. If authors utilize or refer to other works, they must provide complete and accurate citations and/or quotations.
  • Individuals who do not contribute intellectually to the content of the work should not be listed as authors.
  • Any situations or relationships that may pose a conflict of interest must be disclosed.
  • Authors may be asked to provide raw data related to their articles during the review process; in such cases, they should be prepared to present the expected data and information to the editorial and scientific boards.
  • Authors must possess the rights to use the data employed and the necessary permissions related to the research/analyses, or have documentation showing that consent has been obtained from experiment subjects.
  • If authors become aware of any errors or inaccuracies related to their published work, early view, or work under review, they are obliged to inform the journal editor or publisher and cooperate in making corrections or withdrawals.
  • Authors cannot have their works under consideration in multiple journals simultaneously. Each new submission may only commence after the previous submission has been completed. A work published in another journal cannot be submitted to Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies.
  • Changes to author responsibilities for a work already in the review process (such as adding, reordering, or removing authors) cannot be proposed.

Ethical Responsibilities of Editors

The editors and section editors of Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies should have the following ethical duties and responsibilities based on the "COPE Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors" and "COPE Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors" published by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE):

General Duties and Responsibilities

Editors are responsible for every publication in Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies. In this context, editors bear the following roles and obligations:

  • Strive to meet the information needs of readers and authors
  • Ensure the continuous development of the journal
  • Implement processes aimed at improving the quality of works published in the journal
  • Support freedom of thought
  • Maintain academic integrity
  • Continue business processes without compromising intellectual property rights and ethical standards
  • Show openness and transparency in issues requiring correction or clarification

Relationship with Readers

Editors should make decisions considering the information, skills, and experience expectations of all readers, researchers, and practitioners. They should ensure that published works contribute to readers, researchers, practitioners, and the scientific literature and are of an original nature. Additionally, editors are obliged to consider feedback from readers and provide explanatory and informative responses.

Relationship with Authors

  • Editors should make decisions based on the significance, originality, validity, clarity of expression, and the aims and objectives of the journal.
  • They should accept works appropriate to the journal's scope for preliminary evaluation, as long as there are no serious issues.
  • Editors should not disregard positive reviewer recommendations unless there is a serious problem with the work.
  • New editors should not change decisions made by previous editors regarding works unless there is a serious issue.
  • The "Double-Blind Peer Review and Evaluation Process" must be published, and editors should prevent deviations from the defined processes.
  • Editors should publish an "Author Guidelines" document that includes all topics expected from authors in detail, updated at regular intervals.
  • Authors must be provided with explanatory and informative notifications and responses.

Relationship with Reviewers

  • They should select reviewers suitable for the subject of the work.
  • Editors are obliged to provide reviewers with the information and guidance they will need during the evaluation phase.
  • They must monitor any conflicts of interest between authors and reviewers.
  • In the context of double-blind peer review, they must keep the identities of reviewers confidential.
  • Editors should encourage reviewers to evaluate works using impartial, scientific, and objective language.
  • They should assess reviewers based on criteria such as timely feedback and performance.
  • Editors should establish practices and policies to enhance reviewer performance.
  • They must take necessary steps to dynamically update the reviewer pool.
  • Editors should prevent unprofessional and non-scientific evaluations.
  • Steps should be taken to ensure the reviewer pool consists of a wide range of expertise.

Relationship with the Editorial Board

Editors must ensure that all editorial board members advance processes in accordance with publication policies and guidelines, inform them about publication policies, and keep them updated. New editorial board members should be trained on publication policies and provided with the necessary information. Additionally, editors must:

  • Ensure that editorial board members evaluate works impartially and independently.
  • Identify new editorial board members who can contribute and are suitably qualified.
  • Send works for evaluation that are appropriate for the expertise of the editorial board members.
  • Interact regularly with the editorial board.
  • Hold meetings with the editorial board at regular intervals to discuss publication policies and the development of the journal.

Relationship with the Publisher

The relationship between editors and the publisher is based on the principle of editorial independence. According to the written agreement between editors and the publisher, all decisions made by editors are independent of the publisher and the journal owner.

Editorial and Peer Review Processes

Editors are obliged to implement the "Double-Blind Peer Review and Evaluation Process" policies outlined in the journal's publication policies. In this context, editors ensure the fair, impartial, and timely completion of the evaluation process for every work.

Quality Assurance

Editors are responsible for ensuring that every article published in the journal adheres to the journal's publication policies and international standards.

Protection of Personal Data

Editors are responsible for ensuring the protection of personal data concerning subjects or visuals involved in the evaluated works. They are tasked with rejecting works unless documented consent has been obtained from the individuals used in the studies. Furthermore, editors are responsible for protecting the individual data of authors, reviewers, and readers.

Ensuring Academic Publication Integrity

Editors must ensure the rapid correction of errors, inconsistencies, or misleading judgments present in the works.

Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

Editors are responsible for protecting the intellectual property rights of all published articles and defending the rights of the journal and authors in the event of possible infringements. They are also obliged to take necessary precautions to ensure that the content of all published articles does not violate the intellectual property rights of other publications.

Constructiveness and Openness to Discussion

Editors must:

  • Consider persuasive criticisms regarding works published in the journal and exhibit a constructive attitude toward these critiques.
  • Grant authors of criticized works the right to respond.
  • Not ignore or exclude works that contain negative results.

Complaints

Editors are obliged to carefully review complaints from authors, reviewers, or readers and respond in an enlightening and explanatory manner.

Political and Commercial Concerns

The owner of the journal, the publisher, and any political or commercial elements do not influence the editors' independent decision-making.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors guarantee that the publication process of works is completed independently and impartially, taking into account conflicts of interest between authors, reviewers, and other editors.

Ethical Responsibilities of Reviewers

The evaluation of all works through double-blind peer review directly affects publication quality. This process ensures the objective and independent assessment of the publication. Reviewers cannot directly communicate with authors; evaluations and comments are communicated through the journal's management system. In this process, review forms and reviewer comments on the full texts are conveyed to authors through the editor. Reviewers evaluating works for Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies are expected to uphold the following ethical responsibilities:

  • They should only accept the evaluation of works related to their area of expertise.
  • They must conduct evaluations with neutrality and confidentiality.
  • If they believe they are facing a conflict of interest during the evaluation process, they should refuse to review the work and inform the journal editor.
  • As per the principle of confidentiality, they must destroy the works they reviewed after the evaluation process. They can only use the final versions of the works after they have been published.
  • Evaluations must be conducted objectively, solely based on the content of the work. Factors such as nationality, gender, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and commercial concerns should not influence their evaluations.
  • Reviews should be conducted in a constructive and polite manner, avoiding disparaging personal comments.
  • They should complete evaluations in a timely manner and in accordance with the above ethical responsibilities.

Ethical Responsibilities of the Publisher

The publisher of the Journal of Alevism-Bektashism Studies, the Alevi-Bektashi Cultural Institute, is a non-profit civil society organization that works for the public good. In line with its founding philosophy, the Institute conducts its relationship with the journal to contribute to the academic literature according to international standards. The publisher:

  • Holds editors responsible for all processes of works submitted to the journal. Decision-makers are the editors, without consideration of economic or political gains.
  • Commits to ensuring independent editorial decisions.
  • Protects the ownership and copyright of every article published in the journal and assumes the obligation to keep a record of every published copy.
  • Is responsible for taking precautions against any scientific misconduct, citation manipulation, and plagiarism.